Questions from the Easy Chair with Hitman and Attyla

Folks, welcome to the first edition of Questions from the Easy Chair with Hitman and Attyla. We plan to post this blog every Friday throughout the season to give you our insights into the team we all love. Today, we introduce the first ever questions as we present:

Tales from the Easy Chair with Hitman and Attyla
Q: Considering our picks of Shields, Scott and Schillens in particular, could you tell us how have we done historically in developing late round draft 'Projects' into proper football players at the next level?

Hitman: Historically the Raiders drafted wisely from 1963 - 1984, since that time some of the moves have been questionable. The recent trend hasn't been too successful, we can hope this current coaching staff will be in place long enough to develop this current crop of players.

Attyla: Later round players are often considered projects it seems for the Raiders. The typical late rounder from the '90s on have been particularly so. We have found some good players at times, but the over all effect has been underwelming to say the least.

1) In Atlanta, the Falcons use a lot of zone coverage. DHall actually excels in man to man...If he has already gone to 2 pro bowls in Atlanta, is the sky the limit for him in Oakland?

Hitman: I believe Hall is a talent, but still has to a way to got to mature as a player, there's no question about his physical ability, not it's up to him to grow up and help his team win.

Attyla: Well, for five years the sky has been falling, so Hall can probably keep it from totally collapsing...but he is only one piece of a complicated puzzle. Run stoppage must be the priority next year, or the Hall signing will be wasted.

2) Paul McQuistan has earned his spot at RT. He did a much better job then Green. I realize that the Raiders aren't exactly good at putting the best players on the field (cough) Josh McCown (cough) Tyler Brayton (cough) Grant Irons (cough) Lamont Jordan, but why do I keep reading that he is going to be back at the backup LG position instead of the starting RT position?

Hitman: Apparently the coaching staff feel McQ is adequate, but not quite the player they need at the moment, that doesn't mean he can't develop into a solid player. If we see the coaching staff around longer than two seasons that may be the case.

Attyla: He is about average on a line that has been below average for years. While I like the new zone blocking system, let's hope they learn to pass block as well, or Russell will make David Carr look like the unsackable QB. Paul needs to improve this year, or the Raiders will have to look elsewhere to protect an estimated 80 million dollar backfield.

3) Who do you expect to win the Dime Corner spot...Starks or Bowie?

Hitman: Toss up, I personally don't believe they will utilize dime coverage all that often, you have Asomugha, Hall, Huff, Wilson as your starting rotation, with Routt, Eugene and Schweigert, unless of course Stu is cut... You never know what the staff sees during the week.

Attyla: Hitman answered before Starks was cut, but Starks is like a flu...you try to get rid of him, but he keeps coming back. Ultimately I am less concerned with dime coverage and more concerned with DL play.

4) As much as we all love Kirk Morrison, he is not all that great at shedding blocks. Would the team ever consider moving him to the outside and bringing in a veteran like Takeo Spikes or someone with a larger frame to help stop the run?

Hitman: I believe it's possible, but in order for that to happen they will have to find a solid, run stopping MLB. You are correct Morrison isn't great at shedding blockers, but if the Raiders had a betting interior front Morrison wouldn't be in the position of having to shed blockers, what makes great MLB is the front four.

Attyla: Traditionally, the Raiders are much less concerned with lLB's than safety or corner. I think the crop of LBs now are about as good as it gets, but if the linemen do not block well...Morrison and the rest are trying to shed blocks of offensive linemen, and that spells disaster. Our LBs are best in space, and the linemen need to do their job to give the space to the LBs.

5) It has been stated that the Raiders are planning on getting another DEnd ...is there any names that come to your head?

Hitman: Howie Long, Greg Townsend...

Attyla: Rumor has it that Twinkle Toes Jason Taylor is being shopped, but we don't have the cap room, so my guess is that we will shuttle lesser talents this year with the hopes of improving the unit next year.

6) What do you expect of William Joseph and Kalimba Edwards?

Hitman: PRODUCTION!!!!

Attyla: The Raiders have teased us before with reclaimation projects that did not pan out. That being said, I am hopeful they know something we don't know about Joseph and particularly Edwards. I would have to see the 60 million dollar man get broken because we misjudged that particular player.

Thanks for stopping by. Hitman and myself will continue to produce this each week for everyone through the season. Until next week, relax and enjoy. You can send your questions to us via PM and hopefully, YOUR question will get answered next week.

Questions from the Easy Chair with Hitman and Attyla